Beef Quality Assurance Free Certification Period Deadline Approaching

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (Apr. 3, 2015) — Through April 15, producers and those affiliated with the cattle industry can take advantage of free Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) online certification atwww.BIVI-BQA.com. This opportunity is possible through a partnership between Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.(BIVI) and the check-off funded BQA program.

BQA helps increase consumer confidence in the beef industry by demonstrating that the industry strives to produce a safe, wholesome product. All segments of the industry can benefit from becoming BQA certified, including producers from cow-calf, dairy, stocker and feedlot operations, and anyone affiliated with those segments. With an overall focus on animal handling and disease treatment and prevention, online certification modules are customized to meet each segment’s needs.

"We are committed to ensuring producers can benefit from opportunities such as increased global demand for protein and improved efficiencies," said Steve Boren, executive director of the U.S. Cattle Business Segment at BIVI. "Industry stewardship and consumer confidence is key to this as we deal with increased regulations and growing consumer concern for how food is produced. Beef Quality Assurance continues to push our industry to new levels to meet the needs of the global marketplace."

Beyond reinforcing industry best practices for cattle production, obtaining BQA certification can be a useful tool in an ever-changing industry landscape where consumers want to be assured they are receiving a product raised in ways that align with BQA.

"Being BQA certified gives me and the packer I work with the confidence that I am treating my animals correctly," said Scott Niess, a cow-calf producer and feedlot operator in northern Iowa who serves on the National Cattlemen's Beef Association federation board of directors. "Most importantly, it gives consumers the confidence that I am doing everything I can to ensure the health and nutritious value of the beef they purchase."

More than 16,000 have enrolled in the BQA free certification program since BIVI partnered with BQA in 2013 – an impressive number that reflects both beef and dairy producers’ commitment to producing a quality beef product.